Beardfish/PoS European tour dates

Beardfish and Pain of Salvation have announced the following European tour dates:


15.10.2010 DE - Hamburg @ Markthalle
16.10.2010 DE - Bochum @ Zeche
17.10.2010 NL - Uden @ De Pul
18.10.2010 DE - Aschaffenburg @ Colos-Saal
19.10.2010 FR - Paris @ La Scène Bastille
21.10.2010 CH - Pratteln @ Z7
22.10.2010 IT - Milan @ Magazzini
24.10.2010 HU - Budapest @ A38
25.10.2010 SK - Bratislava @ Majestic
26.10.2010 CZ - Prague @ Futurum
28.10.2010 NL - Zoetermeer @ De Boerderij
29.10.2010 BE - Louvain-La-Neuve @ Ferme du Biéreau
30.10.2010 DE - Andernach @ JUZ Live Club

Pain of Salvation on the road for Road Salt One

The Swedish innovative and never resting band PAIN OF SALVATION are now announcing the first tour dates of the successfully released album Road Salt One which scored overwhelming international press including cover stories like in Fuzz Mag (Sweden), Norway Rock Mag, etc.

The band comments:
"Although time hardly permits, we have decided to take Road Salt One where it truly belongs; out on the road. The first stretch of this dusty and grainy road is taking shape right now, and will mainly lead us through an October Europe. As usual, with Pain of Salvation it is all about redefining and reinventing, and our shows and tours have lived lives of their own and shapeshifted just as our albums. This tour will be no exception in that respect. So whatever you do, don’t let it be the one your friend went to see and never stops talking about."

The first batch of dates on the Road Salt tour:
01.10.2010 FIN – Oulu @ Teatria, Metalheim Festival
02.10.2010 FIN – Helsinki @ Nosturi, Metalheim Festival
07.10.2010 SE – Eskilstuna @ Stålfors, Världens Barn-galan

PAIN OF SALVATION
ROCK HARD, ECLIPSED & Dragon Productions present:
15.10.2010 DE – Hamburg @ Markthalle
16.10.2010 DE – Bochum @ Zeche
17.10.2010 NL – Uden @ De Pul
18.10.2010 DE – Aschaffenburg @ Colos-Saal
20.10.2010 FR – Paris @ La Scene Bastille
21.10.2010 CH – Pratteln @ Z7
22.10.2010 IT – Milan @ Magazzini
24.10.2010 HU – Budapest @ Ship A38
25.10.2010 SVK – Bratislava @ Majestic
26.10.2010 CZ – Prague @ Futurum
28.10.2010 NL – Zoetermeer @ De Boerderij
29.10.2010 BE – Louvain-La-Neuve @ La ferme du Biereau
30.10.2010 DE – Andernach @ JUZ Live Club


More shows will be added in the coming month.

PAIN OF SALVATION online:
www.painofsalvation.com
www.myspace.com/painofsalvation
www.facebook.com/painofsalvation
www.twitter.com/road_salt

InsideOut artists tour dates

Beardfish
more Destined Solitaire concerts
14.08.2010: D-Bad Doberan/Zappanale

Devin Townsend Project
Bloodstock Festival 2010
02.07.2010: FI-Helsinki/Tuska Festival
13.07.2010: CZ-Josefov/Brutal Assault
13.08.2010: GB-Walton-On-Trent, Derbyshire/Catton Hall

Pain Of Salvation
28.08.2010: SE-Boras/Close To Home Festival

Transatlantic
An Evening With TRANSATLANTIC / Whirld Tour 2010 feat. Mike Portnoy, Pete Trewavas, Roine Stolt, Neal Morse
24.07.2010: GB-London/High Voltage Festival

Unitopia
08.10.2010: GB-Gloucestershire/Lydney Town Hall
15.10.2010: NL-Zoetermeer/De Boerderij
16.10.2010: BE-Verviers/The spirit of 66

Beardfish/Pain of Salvation replaced on Prog Nation tour

Just read this from Mike Portnoy...when I talked to the Bearfish guys over the weekend, they were so looking forward to this tour too:

"It is with the utmost disappointment that I am forced to share the unfortunate news of both Pain Of Salvation and Beardfish having to pull out of this summer's Progressive Nation tour....

Their label Inside Out just recently lost the financial funding for the tour as a result of their distributor SPV recently claiming bankruptcy...which effectively meant that both Pain Of Salvation and Beardfish lost the tour support that was essential to their ability to come to North America for Progressive Nation.

All parties involved (myself, both bands, Inside Out, etc) are beyond devastated at this turn of events and are truly sorry to all of the fans that were looking forward to this lineup. We tried everything we could do to salvage the situation, but in the end it was not possible...

Well as the album title says, every Black Cloud does indeed have a Silver Lining....so with this unfortunate news, I bring to you the good news of 2 incredible bands that will jumping on board Progressive Nation to join Dream Theater and Zappa Plays Zappa this summer: Bigelf and Scale The Summit.

Los Angeles' Bigelf are my personal favorite new band to come along in many years...their latest CD "Cheat The Gallows" is my favorite album of the year and I already had positioned them onto the European run of Progressive Nation in the Fall....with them now joining us on PN09 in North America as well, it looks like world domination is now not that far out of reach for them! Pretty soon, everyone will hopefully be falling for their retro, psychedelic, progressive, hard rock, doom metal as hard as I have!

Houston instrumental band Scale The Summit are a recent discovery for me and their top notch musicianship will be a perfect fit to this Progressive Nation lineup stylistically falling very nicely between the musicality of Dream Theater and Zappa Plays Zappa. They bring the instrumental elements of prog rock and fusion into today's contemporary hard rock/metal sounds and are one of the most talented group of young musicians I've seen assembled in many years.

Once again, apologies to anybody disappointed in this unexpected and unavoidable lineup change...but the circumstances were beyond our control... In any event, PN09 will carry on and still deliver the most musical bang for its buck this summer throughout North America and we look forward to sharing the evening with you!

Sincerely,
Your Progressive Rock Ambassador,
Mike Portnoy "

REVIEW: Ending Themes (On the Two Deaths of Pain of Salvation)

As mentioned briefly yesterday, I am not what one would call a huge fan of Pain of Salvation. I know for some people it is perhaps blasphemy (especially in some of the progressive metal forums and circles I frequent), but the fact of the matter is that…well, while I find their playing to be pretty good, I don’t find the songs to be that memorable. I don’t find the lyrics to connect with me like they apparently do for so many others, and as for Daniel Gildenlöw’s voice…well, it’s flexible and wide ranging, but I’d not say it’s all that unique really.

People reading this may say, “Well, you’re saying this because you didn’t like Scarsick,” or “You are saying this because you disagree with Gildenlöw’s politics.” And it’s true…sort of. And on only one count. I found Scarsick to be tedious and long overstaying its welcome in my CD player. But I also found myself less than impressed with the majority of The Perfect Element, didn’t think BE lived up to the lofty expectations that the concept presented, and so on. As for Gildenlöw’s politics…they are his, and who am I to tell someone what to think?

(I do think change is best attempted from the inside, not the outside, but that’s not a story for this blog.)

All of this is preface for my position reviewing Ending Themes (On the Two Deaths of Pain of Salvation), the new 2 DVD set from Pain of Salvation. If you don’t want to read the rest, having already been offended by my blasphemous opening paragraphs, let me cut to the chase so you can move on to more pleasing material; I actually enjoyed the DVD set more than I thought I would, and while it has not brought me any closer to becoming a fan of the band, I feel it has succeeded in presenting a few years in the life of a band on the road.

Packaged as 2 seasons of a TV series, the first ‘season’ covers the band’s 2005 tour, which led to the requested departure of bassist Kristoffer Gildenlöw from the band. His moving to Holland from Sweden made it difficult for the band to rehearse and play together as much between tours as they would have liked, and it led to a personal gulf that apparently was too wide to breach. 8 vignettes cover a good bit of the first leg of the tour, from last rehearsals (sans Daniel, who is sick and authoring the DVD with back projections for the stage show) through shows in Essen, Paris, and the Netherlands, among others. One gets a very good sense of what touring is like for a band at this level…for many prog fans, PoS is a fairly major band, yet we see them moving their own gear, thrilling over the sale of 45 DVDs and 60 shirts at a single show, and concerts with presales of 400 tickets. I think in some ways this first disc should be almost essential viewing for people who find it perfectly fine to download loads of music illegally…you want to see who you’re affecting? It’s right on the screen.

Ahem…

Moving on…the first disc is enlightening on many levels. One picks up some of the stress that is going on behind the scenes. People calling home to talk to wives and children that are missed, band members not showing up for meet and greets, and so on. The tension seems palpable, and often one sees the band, and then Daniel…as two separate entities. There’s not a lot of performance footage on this first disc, but we make up for that soon.

Disc or “Season” 2 is a film of a full performance from the 2007 Scarsick tour…the tour that led to Johan Langell’s departure to spend more time with his wife and child (hence the second death of Pain of Salvation). Filmed in Amsterdam, the footage is fairly straight forward…no special effects or overlays or film intercuts. What you get is pure, unadulterated Pain of Salvation playing 16 tracks for a wildly appreciative audience and filmed in 16x9 widescreen. The show opens with Scarsick and America from the band’s most recent album, and flows through a range of material from throughout the group’s 6 album back catalogue. Add in a cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and you have a pretty enjoyable show, all told. I liked pieces like Ashes and Undertow, while finding the Scarsick material in general just as tedious as ever (having said this, Flame to the Moth comes over better live than in the studio).

The 2 DVDs are packed with extras, but it’s the set on disc 2 that are of more interest…mostly because they take work to get to. They are all locked, and require you to go through a series of quizzes based on the material on the DVDs. Yes, you actually had to pay attention to the documentary in order to access the bonus features. Once in, you can see photo galleries, listen to demos of material from Scarsick, and more. It’s an interesting way of doing things, and while it may seem tedious, it’s something unlike anything I’ve seen on a music DVD before (thankfully, once you unlock them all, you get a ‘secret code’ that allows you to unlock them again without going through the quiz process again).

Later this year, this set will also be released in 2 CD audio format and a limited edition 2 CD/2 DVD set.

So, I mentioned earlier that this set didn’t make me any more of a fan of the band than I already was…or perhaps more accurately, was not. I did enjoy watching it, I did see some of the reasons why they have the fervent, devoted fan base they do, and I can state without feeling forced to do so that they are certainly powerful on stage. For fans of the band, Ending Themes will be most enjoyable. For the audient less familiar with the band, the live album that comes later this year (taken directly from the second DVD) may be a better choice than the 2 DVD set. For the music fan interested in what goes on behind the scenes of a band on the run, the first DVD is essential. The set dies try to offer something to a wide rangeof people, and I think it succeeds at that pretty well.

DVD1 - The First Death Of

SixWorlds/EightDays (80-minute documentary of 2005 world tour by Per Hillblom)

DVD2 - The Second Death Of

Touching You Harder: Live From Amsterdam

1. "Scarsick"
2. "America"
3. "!"
4. "Nightmist"
5. "Handful of Nothing"
6. "New Year's Eve"
7. "Ashes"
8. "Undertow"
9. "This Heart of Mine/Song for the Innocent"
10. "Chain Sling"
11. "Diffidentia"
12. "Flame to the Moth"
13. "Disco Queen"
14. "Hallelujah"
15. "Cribcaged"
16. "Used"

Some brief notes…

Some brief notes…

I’ve been spending the past week moving, hence the lack of more original material up here. But I have been doing some listening/viewing, and here are a few brief notes on what I’ve been checking out.

Robin Taylor – Isle of Black. Back together with Karsten Vogel, this is a variety pack of material, from upbeat, jazzy stuff to intense instrumental workouts that channel King Crimson and “Burning Sky”-esque Porcupine Tree. The playing is excellent, the material very strong. Like many of Taylor’s releases, it’s brief, but the result is that the album never feels laboured or over-padded. Every piece is a finished work, and the album is solid as ever. I am really enjoying this one, and I’ve got to give it a proper review soon.

Derek Sherinian – Molecular Heinosity. One usually knows what one is getting into with a Sherinian release. The balls are firmly against the wall, the material is fast and furious, and the instrumental virtuosity is second to none. This new album is really no exception, and while it may lead to some ear fatigue (Too many notes! Aargh! Run!), no one can deny that this is the kind of material Derek was meant to be playing. One vocal track features Zakk Wylde, sounding eerily like one John Michael Osbourne. Quite an interesting release, to be sure. Expect a proper review soon.

The new official Phish downloads. If I said I doubt I’ve ever listened to a single Phish song all the way through, would you believe me? Maybenot, but it’s true. Still, I felt this was as good a way as any to check them out without risk, and sanctioned by the band. The recordings are excellent, the playing seems very strong, and the vocals…it’s a jam band. Vocals are weak. But that’s OK. I’m not sure that Phish is a band that I’d become a huge fan of, but I can see how they have developed such a strong fan base. 4 hour concerts…different songs each night…reminds me of classic Zappa in many ways…

Ending Themes (On the Two Deaths of Pain of Salvation). The new 2 DVD set from Pain of Salvation. I just got this in on Saturday, and with moving, have barely watched it. People who know me know I am not a huge fan of this band. I’ve watched about 45 minutes of the first DVD, which is a documentary on the 2005 tour, and one can pick up some of the tension that may have been ongoing at that time. The second DVD is a concert film of a show from the 2007 Scarsick tour, and as the performance leans heavily on that album, I may find it somewhat less involving (didn’t really care for that album). But I’ll certainly be going in with as open a mind as possible. Expect a deeper review of this release as well.

Other stuff due a review at my first convenience...

Redemption - Frozen in the Moment DVD/CD
Klaus Schulze - Rheingold DVD

Progressive Nation 2009 announced

New York progressive metal veterans DREAM THEATER will take their Progressive Nation tour back on the road for its second incarnation with a run through America and Canada in July/August 2009.

In addition to a headlining set by DREAM THEATER, this year's package will feature the outstanding musicianship of ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA as well as two incredibly talented imports from Sweden: PAIN OF SALVATION and BEARDFISH.

Progressive Nation was created by DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy and its successful inaugural run in 2008 also featured OPETH, BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and THREE.

Portnoy once again hand-picked all of the bands for the 2009 bill based on their diversity and musicality. He comments: "This year's lineup is so exciting for me. Every band is bringing something very unique to the package to create an incredibly well rounded musical experience. I am just as excited to be watching all the bands from the side of the stage as I am to be performing with mine in the center of it!"

Fresh on the heels of his Grammy win, Dweezil Zappa is pleased to announce his plans to join forces with DREAM THEATER as part of the Progressive Nation 2009 tour: "It's no secret that I started ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA with the intention to diversify and expand the audience for my father's music. I figured I'd probably have to do it one concert at a time. Playing with DREAM THEATER on the Progressive Nation tour is a great way to accomplish that goal. Music fans who are seeking something to challenge their senses should definitely consider attending this great bill."

Portnoy adds: "It is an absolute honor for me to have ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA on board. Frank Zappa is one of my all-time biggest heroes and his music practically invented the term 'progressive.' Dweezil is doing an amazing job carrying on the tradition of his father's daring spirit and like his dad, has surrounded himself with a band of jaw-dropping, incredible musicians."

Sweden's PAIN OF SALVATION will bring their unique brand of cutting-edge progressive metal to Progressive Nation. Vocalist/guitarist Daniel Gildenlöw comments: "We are truly very happy to be part of the Progressive Nation tour, and to be back in the States again and bring all the sweat and flesh to our music and our well deserving American fans. We feel honored to have been asked."

Gildenlöw also joked: "Actually, Mike has been on our backs now for two years in what we believe to be a personal campaign, bordering on harassment, to make us come over. So when he asked us about Progressive Nation, it was a joy to finally be able to say yes. And if Mike didn't give up on us, then hopefully America hasn't either."

Vocalist/keyboardist Rikard Sjöblom of BEARDFISH is equally excited: "When we read on a website that Mike Portnoy had our album 'Sleeping in Traffic Part 1' among his favorite releases of 2007, we just couldn't believe it and we were really happy about it! And now we once again gasp for air since we've been asked to join Progressive Nation 2009 together with DREAM THEATER (one of the biggest bands in this genre today!), PAIN OF SALVATION (hey, fellow Swedes!!!) and ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA (being a HUGE Zappa fan myself, I think this is really cool!). Since we've only played the U.S. once before we simply can't wait to come over and rock out!"

Progressive Nation will be the first North American tour for DREAM THEATER in support of the band's newest Roadrunner Records CD, which is slated for a June 2009 release.

Pain of Salvation DVD news

Title: The Second Death Of...

Setlist DVD 1:
01. Scarsick (Scarsick)
02. America (Scarsick)
03. ! (Entropia)
04. Nightmist (Entropia)
05. Handful of Nothing (One Hour By The Concrete Lake)
06. New Year's Eve (One Hour By The Concrete Lake)
07. Ashes (The Perfect Element Part I)
08. Undertow (Remedy Lane)
09. This Heart of Mine/Song for the Innocent (Remedy Lane/The Perfect Element Part I)
10. Chain Sling (Remedy Lane)
11. Diffidentia (Be)
12. Flame to the Moth (Scarsick)
13. Disco Queen (Scarsick)
-----------------------------------
14. Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
15. Cribcaged (Scarsick)
16. Used (The Perfect Element Part I)

recent update (8/13/08)
Originally Posted by Daniel Gildenlow "The DVD is starting to come together, and will consist of two separate discs - one will be the live show from our last tour, and the other one will be a documentary following the band on the 2005 tour, which marked the end of that line-up. The fact that the band has seen such major changes the last two years made it very difficult emotionally to invest time and energy in this product, and it wasn't until the documentary draft was proposed by Per Hillblom that I started to see what this DVD was trying to communicate. We still have a few commentary tracks to record but we are starting to see the end of it."

(on the next album)
"We are starting to get a grasp of the tons of material that I have been working on in my head. My vision is that the next album will be recorded in our rehearsing room, and we have started to prepare ourselves and the rehearsing room for this. The material that I am focusing on for the album at the moment, is some sort of cross breed between the heavy early 70s in the vein of Sabbath/Zeppelin and the dark weirdness of Faith no More/Soundgarden together with a touch of fragile suggestiveness displayed by The Doors/Jeff Buckley. Add some energetic Foo Fighters and you will start to get the picture..."

Opeth, Pain of Salvation headline Symforce II

It is with great pleasure that we can announce that none other than OPETH will headline the second edition of Symforce. With a ninth studio album in the pipeline our Swedish friends are playing a one-off at Symforce II and they'll deliver their full show ! With a ninth studio album under their belt for sure this will a memorable concert!

Second band in the main hall will be none other than PAIN of SALVATION. Known the world over for their diversity and quality PoS is also playing a one-off at Symforce II and they will also play their entire show.

Opening in the main hall will be a six piece from Tilburg called TEXTURES. These young guys will release their third studio offering in March/April. Known for their technical metal approach the band has promissed us to play a special progressive set exclusively for Symforce II.

Due to the length of the Opeth and Pain of Salvation shows there will only be three bands in the main hall!

Main attraction in the small venue will be Dutch classic proggers ALQUIN. The band has been around since 1971 and are one of Mikael Akerfeldt's all-time favourite bands. The last time the band played at the 013 they sold out the small venue. In 2008 the band will also record a brand new album, songs from which will most certainly be played during Symforce II.

These are the first four bands for you. Six more acts will be added as time evolves and we'll be informing you as soon as we can.

Tickets go on sale this coming Saturday 23rd February priced 47,50 euros.

May the Symforce be with you!

more info at www.013web.nl